James had a hunch gnawing at him. He knew there was bad blood between his grandmother and Joseph, but he never imagined it could escte to this level! Steeling himself, James spoke in a measured tone, fighting to keep his emotions in check. "Leave." "But what about Bea..."


    "Leave!"


    "... Yes, sir."


    Marian exited, gently closing the door behind her. As James stared at the closed door, memories rushed back to him. More than a decade ago, his grandmother would shut the door to the study in much the same way. Her voice was always firm and unyielding: "If you don''t finish these books, you can''t step out of this room!"


    His thoughts drifted back further. He recalled kneeling on the floor, enduring the sting of Bea''s willow switch on his back. Bea, frustrated yet hopeful, would say, "If you don''t work hard, you''ll never amount to anything! And if you can''t make something of yourself, you can''t keep this family together!"


    Even as a child, he bore the pain, humiliation, and defiance. That was when he learned to mask his feelings. He couldn''t afford to like anything or anyone. His life was all about Burke International. Beyond the Burke family, nothing else mattered to him. Bea always fancied herself as an educator, believing she had raised two children to sess. She used to boast about her son''s education, but when Joseph walked away from the family, she considered him her greatest shame. And now, it was James''s turn. James wrestled with his feelings towards the grandmother who had raised him for over twenty years. Part of him wanted to despise her, yet he couldn''t help but feel gratitude. Her strict upbringing made him who he was today.


    After a moment, James stood up and faced a mirror, scrutinizing his reflection with a calm gaze. Despite everything, he owed her thanks. She taught him how to conceal his emotions, to be unreadable. Just like now-nobody could tell what was on his mind. With a deep breath, James opened the study door. Marian was waiting outside, and her pause reflected her surprise at hisposed demeanor. "Sir..."


    "Get everything ready for the funeral. Tomorrow... we''ll bury Bea."


    "Tomorrow?"


    Marian''s eyes widened. Why the rush?


    "Sir, isn''t that too soon?"


    "I said tomorrow."


    James''s voice was as cold as ice. "First thing in the morning, I want to see her off."


    "... Yes, sir."


    Marian hurried off to coordinate the arrangements with Colt.


    "Colby''s already stirring things up. Dy could spell trouble, James. I hope you can get Sophie to talk. If


    not... don''t me your father fo


    u:


    being ruthless." Joseph''s voice crackled through the phone before the line went dead. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    James made his way to Sophie''s


    tense. As James entered, her brow furrowed. "You..."


    room. Inside, Sophie was already et


    "I''m sorry, I have no choice."


    James slowly approached Sophie. "Colby''s gathering his forces. I need answers from you before he makes his move." "James... you..."


    A sudden sh of lightning lit up the room, casting a stark silhouette of James raising a small knife towards Sophie against the white walls.